NATO Secretary-General George Robertson arrived in Prague Wednesday to discuss Czech Republic's progress in upgrading its armed forces and integration with the Alliance, which it joined two years ago.
Published:
23 February 2001 y., Friday
He arrived from Moscow, which is fiercely opposed to any further NATO expansion to the east, following the accession of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland into NATO in March 1999.
The main topic of discussion would be Prague's plans to buy between 24 and 36 Western-built supersonic jets planes to update its aging Soviet-era airforce, Robertson told state television before his arrival.
Czech President Vaclav Havel recently told AFP that Moscow "has not right to oppose NATO enlargement" into ex-communist countries in central and eastern Europe.
Robertson is also likely to discuss the outcome of his talks in Moscow, as well as preparations for a NATO summit in Prague in late 2002, officials said. The ailing Havel will meet with Robertson in hospital, where he has been for over a week after suffering a relapse of lung problems which forced him to cut short a foreign trip, his spokesman said.
On Wednesday Robertson was due to meet Havel, Foreign Minister Jan Kavan and Defense Minister Vladimir Vetchy. On Thursday he will meet Prime Minister Milos Zeman as well as parliament speaker Vaclav Klaus and Senate speaker Petr Pithart.
Šaltinis:
Agence France Presse
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
The President of the Republic of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, met with the Commander of the US European Command and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Admiral James G. Stavridis.
more »
The President of the Republic of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, met with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Andrus Ansip, who is on a visit to Lithuania.
more »
July 12 marks one year since President Dalia Grybauskaitė took office. What has changed in Lithuania over that time?
more »
On 8-9 July in Genval, Belgium, Political Director of Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eitvydas Bajarūnas took part in the consultations of political directors from foreign ministries of 27 European Union member states.
more »
On 9 July, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis received the outgoing Ambassador of Ukraine Ihor Prokopchuk.
more »
On 7 July in Vilnius, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis and Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman discussed bilateral political, economic and cultural cooperation, as well as possibilities to intensify economic, trade and tourist exchanges.
more »
In the statement by U.S. President Barack Obama on the 10th Anniversary of the Community of Democracies that was released on 3 July, the President commended Lithuania for its Presidency of the Community and efforts to focus on the pressing challenges of today.
more »
"You offer us yet another opportunity to put ourselves and our civic mind to the test of time. Your example makes us raise our standards higher and higher," President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė said at the ceremony of presenting state awards.
more »
President Dalia Grybauskaitė offered personal congratulations by phone to President-elect Bronisław Komorowski on his victory in Poland's presidential elections.
more »
Foreign states and international organizations extend condolences to Lithuania on the passing of President Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas
more »